Top 50 Astros of all time

March 21, 2013 8:03 AM

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Astros writer Steve Campbell put together the list of the top 50 Astros from the first 50 years of the franchise. A quick explanation of the selection criteria: To qualify, a player had to put in at least three full seasons. Managing the team and doing so successfully, as was the case with Larry Dierker and Phil Garner, counts for something. We tried to strike a balance between longevity and peak impact, but it ultimately is a subjective call. Either that, or we could just sort players by career Wins Above Replacement and call it a day. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle) less

Astros writer Steve Campbell put together the list of the top 50 Astros from the first 50 years of the franchise. A quick explanation of the selection criteria: To qualify, a player had to put in at least three ... more

Astros writer Steve Campbell put together the list of the top 50... Photo-2708083.40677 - Houston Chronicle

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About WAR: From this vantage point, it's a useful tool that isn't an infallible end-all. While WAR attempts to account for defensive value and the difficulty of a position, the defensive metrics in place are still suspect. WAR tends to place little value on relief pitching, and it's up for question whether the system properly weights the worth of a pitcher vs. a position player. With those disclaimers in place, we bring you 50 Greatest Astros from the first 50 seasons: (Steve Campbell / Houston Chronicle) less

About WAR: From this vantage point, it's a useful tool that isn't an infallible end-all. While WAR attempts to account for defensive value and the difficulty of a position, the defensive metrics in place are ... more

50. Danny Darwin, RHP (1986-1990, 1996)47-32 with a 3.21 ERA in 769.0 IP, with 543 Ks, an ERA+ of 113 and 12.5 Wins Above Replacement. Dr. Death went 11-4 with 2.21 ERA in 1990, eking out just enough innings (162 2/3) to win National League ERA title. (Howard Castleberry / Houston Chronicle) less

50. Danny Darwin, RHP (1986-1990, 1996)
47-32 with a 3.21 ERA in 769.0 IP, with 543 Ks, an ERA+ of 113 and 12.5 Wins Above Replacement.
Dr. Death went 11-4 with 2.21 ERA in 1990, eking out just enough innings ... more

48. Carlos Lee, OF-1B (2007-2011).286/.338/.486 with 128 HRs, 504 RBIs, 352 Rs, 26 SBs and 6.7 Wins Above Replacement in 749 games. No, he wasn't worth the $100 million contract, and his defense leaves something to be desired, but his offensive production has been in line with what he'd done before he arrived in Houston. (Patrick T. Fallon / Houston Chronicle) less

47. Turk Farrell, RHP (1962-1967)53-64 with a 3.42 ERA in 1,015 IP, with 694 Ks, an ERA+ of 100 and 18.2 Wins Above Replacement. Had thankless task of pitching for expansion team (10-20 in 1962), but ranks nine in career WAR among Astros pitchers. (checkoutmycards.com) less

47. Turk Farrell, RHP (1962-1967)
53-64 with a 3.42 ERA in 1,015 IP, with 694 Ks, an ERA+ of 100 and 18.2 Wins Above Replacement.
Had thankless task of pitching for expansion team (10-20 in 1962), but ranks nine ... more

46. Luis Gonzalez, OF (1990-1995, 1997).266/.335/.417 batting line with 62 HRs, 366 RBIs, 344 Rs, 63 SBs and 13.5 Wins Above Replacement in 745 games. Unspectacular in his 20s, became a breakout star in his 30s with Diamondbacks. (Courtesy of the Astros) less

46. Luis Gonzalez, OF (1990-1995, 1997)
.266/.335/.417 batting line with 62 HRs, 366 RBIs, 344 Rs, 63 SBs and 13.5 Wins Above Replacement in 745 games.
Unspectacular in his 20s, became a breakout star in his 30s ... more

44. Jim Deshaies, LHP (1985-1991)61-59 with a 3.67 ERA in 1,102 IP, with 731 Ks, an ERA+ of 97 and 12.0 Wins Above Replacement. Had four-year run (1986-89) where he went 49-35 with 3.36 ERA and helped team win a division title. (AP) less

44. Jim Deshaies, LHP (1985-1991)
61-59 with a 3.67 ERA in 1,102 IP, with 731 Ks, an ERA+ of 97 and 12.0 Wins Above Replacement.
Had four-year run (1986-89) where he went 49-35 with 3.36 ERA and helped team win ... more

43. Bob Knepper, LHP (1981-1989)93-100 with a 3.66 ERA in 1,738 IP, with 946 Ks, an ERA+ of 94 and 10.2 Wins Above Replacement. Soft-tossing lefty went 47-35 with 3.29 ERA from 1984-86, fell off to 8-17, then bounced back to go 14-5 in 1988. (Timothy Bullard / Houston Chronicle) less

43. Bob Knepper, LHP (1981-1989)
93-100 with a 3.66 ERA in 1,738 IP, with 946 Ks, an ERA+ of 94 and 10.2 Wins Above Replacement.
Soft-tossing lefty went 47-35 with 3.29 ERA from 1984-86, fell off to 8-17, then ... more

40. Michael Bourn, OF (2008-2011).271/.337/.359 batting line with 11 HRs, 134 RBIs, 302 Rs, 193 SBs and 9.6 Wins Above Replacement in 541 games. Won two Gold Gloves, made an All-Star team and led league in stolen bases in 2008, 2009 and 2010. (Patrick T Fallon / Houston Chronicle) less

40. Michael Bourn, OF (2008-2011)
.271/.337/.359 batting line with 11 HRs, 134 RBIs, 302 Rs, 193 SBs and 9.6 Wins Above Replacement in 541 games.
Won two Gold Gloves, made an All-Star team and led league in ... more

38. Denis Menke, SS (1968-1974).266/.335/.374 batting line with 30 HRs, 282 RBIs, 269 Rs, 17 SBs and 10.6 Wins Above Replacement in 634 games. Didn't have a lot of range, but was productive offensive player who drive in 90-plus runs and made All-Star team in 1969 and 1970. (Houston Chronicle) less

38. Denis Menke, SS (1968-1974)
.266/.335/.374 batting line with 30 HRs, 282 RBIs, 269 Rs, 17 SBs and 10.6 Wins Above Replacement in 634 games.
Didn't have a lot of range, but was productive offensive player who ... more

37. Hunter Pence, OF (2007-2011).290/.338/.479 batting line with 103 HRs, 377 RBIs, 353 Rs, 61 SBs and 9.8 Wins Above Replacement in 680 games. Tenacious, unorthodox fan favorite who made two All-Star appearances for a team that was on its way down when he arrived. (Mark J. Terrill / Houston Chronicle) less

35. Rusty Staub, OF (1963-1968).273/.346/.396 batting line with 57 HRs, 370 RBIs, 297 Rs, 8 SBs and 13.1 Wins Above Replacement in 833 games. Unfortunately for Astros, he had 1,924 of his hits, 235 of his HRs and 1,096 of his RBIs after they traded him for Jack Billingham, Skip Guinn and $100,000. (AP) less

35. Rusty Staub, OF (1963-1968)
.273/.346/.396 batting line with 57 HRs, 370 RBIs, 297 Rs, 8 SBs and 13.1 Wins Above Replacement in 833 games.
Unfortunately for Astros, he had 1,924 of his hits, 235 of his HRs ... more

34. Andy Pettitte, LHP (2004-2006)37-26 with a 3.38 ERA in 519.2 IP, 428 Ks, an ERA+ of 129 and 7.5 Wins Above Replacement. A force on 2005 World Series team, going 17-9 with 2.39 ERA and fifth-place finish in Cy Young Award voting. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle) less

34. Andy Pettitte, LHP (2004-2006)
37-26 with a 3.38 ERA in 519.2 IP, 428 Ks, an ERA+ of 129 and 7.5 Wins Above Replacement.
A force on 2005 World Series team, going 17-9 with 2.39 ERA and fifth-place finish in ... more

33. Wade Miller, RHP (1999-2004)58-39 with a 3.87 ERA in 769 IP, with 659 strikeouts, an ERA+ of 117 and 13.6 Wins Above Replacement. Had stellar run from 2001-03, going 45-25 with 3.61 ERA that translated into ERA+ of 124. (Christobal Perez / Houston Chronicle) less

33. Wade Miller, RHP (1999-2004)
58-39 with a 3.87 ERA in 769 IP, with 659 strikeouts, an ERA+ of 117 and 13.6 Wins Above Replacement.
Had stellar run from 2001-03, going 45-25 with 3.61 ERA that translated into ... more

32. Ken Caminiti, 3B (1987-1994, 1999-2000).264/.330/.402 batting line with 103 HRs, 546 RBIs, 496 Rs, 48 SBs and 15.4 Wins Above Replacement in 1,085 games. Made first All-Star team in 1994 with Astros and was MVP two seasons later with San Diego Padres. (Kevin Fujii / Houston Chronicle) less

32. Ken Caminiti, 3B (1987-1994, 1999-2000)
.264/.330/.402 batting line with 103 HRs, 546 RBIs, 496 Rs, 48 SBs and 15.4 Wins Above Replacement in 1,085 games.
Made first All-Star team in 1994 with Astros and was ... more

31. Steve Finley, OF (1991-1994).281/.331/406 batting line with 32 HRs, 186 RBIs, 301 Rs, 110 SBs and 14.0 Wins Above Replacement in 557 games. Standout defender who won six Gold Gloves after leaving Astros, who shipped him and Ken Caminito to the Padres in a deal that brought back Derek Bell, Doug Brocail and the wrong Pedro Martinez. (Houston Chronicle) less

30. Mike Cuellar, LHP (1965-1968)37-36 with a 2.74 ERA in 700.1 IP, with 557 Ks, an ERA+ of 119 and 15.4 Wins Above Replacement. Crafty lefthander best remembered for what he did after Astros traded him to Baltimore Orioles for Curt Blefary (125-63 with a Cy Young from 1969-74). (AP) less

30. Mike Cuellar, LHP (1965-1968)
37-36 with a 2.74 ERA in 700.1 IP, with 557 Ks, an ERA+ of 119 and 15.4 Wins Above Replacement.
Crafty lefthander best remembered for what he did after Astros traded him to ... more

25. Dickie Thon, SS (1981-1987).270/.329/.396 batting line with 33 HRs, 172 RBIs, 226 Rs, 94 SBs and 14.4 Wins Above Replacement in 566 games. Was coming off a seventh-place MVP finish in 1983 (at age 25) when he got beaned by Mets' Mike Torrez early the next season and was never the same. (Houston Chronicle) less

24. Mike Hampton, LHP (1994-1999, 2009)76-50 with a 3.59 ERA in 1,138 IP, with 767 Ks, an ERA+ of 114 and 13.8 Wins Above Replacement. By far his best season was 1999, when he went 22-4 (NL-leading .846 wining percentage) with 2.90 ERA and finished second in Cy Young voting. (Julio Cortez / Houston Chronicle) less

24. Mike Hampton, LHP (1994-1999, 2009)
76-50 with a 3.59 ERA in 1,138 IP, with 767 Ks, an ERA+ of 114 and 13.8 Wins Above Replacement.
By far his best season was 1999, when he went 22-4 (NL-leading .846 wining ... more

23. Ken Forsch, RHP (1970-1980)78-81 with a 3.18 ERA in 1,493.2 IP, with 815 Ks, an ERA+ of 108 and 20.7 Wins Above Replacement. Versatile sinkerballer won 12 games as starter for 1980 division-winning team and made 1976 All-Star team as reliever. (Steve Ueckert / Houston Chronicle) less

23. Ken Forsch, RHP (1970-1980)
78-81 with a 3.18 ERA in 1,493.2 IP, with 815 Ks, an ERA+ of 108 and 20.7 Wins Above Replacement.
Versatile sinkerballer won 12 games as starter for 1980 division-winning team and ... more

22. Shane Reynolds, RHP (1992-2002)
103-86 with a 3.95 ERA in 1,622.1 IP, with 1,309 Ks, an ERA+ of 107 and 17.9 Wins Above Replacement.
Steady control artist (2.1 walks per nine innings over career) had five ... more

21. Terry Puhl, OF (1977-1990).281/.349/.389 batting line with 62 HRs, 432 RBIs, 676 Rs, 217 SBs and 26.1 Wins Above Replacement in 1,516 games. An All-Star in 1978, one of the best players to come out of Canada. (Courtesy of the Astros) less

21. Terry Puhl, OF (1977-1990)
.281/.349/.389 batting line with 62 HRs, 432 RBIs, 676 Rs, 217 SBs and 26.1 Wins Above Replacement in 1,516 games.
An All-Star in 1978, one of the best players to come out of ... more

16. Billy Wagner, LHP (1995-2003)
26-29 with 225 saves and a 2.53 ERA in 504.1 IP, with 694 Ks, an ERA+ of 171 and 17.6 Wins Above Replacement.
Made three All-Star teams as an Astro, finishing fourth in 1999 Cy ... more

15. Roger Clemens, RHP (2004-2006)38-18 with a 2.40 ERA in 539 IP, with 505 Ks, an ERA+ of 180 and 15.4 Wins Above Replacement. In only three seasons with Astros, won a Cy Young (2004), led the league in ERA once (2005) and helped team reach World Series. (Billy Smith II / Houston Chronicle) less

15. Roger Clemens, RHP (2004-2006)
38-18 with a 2.40 ERA in 539 IP, with 505 Ks, an ERA+ of 180 and 15.4 Wins Above Replacement.
In only three seasons with Astros, won a Cy Young (2004), led the league in ERA ... more

14. Don Wilson, RHP (1966-1974)104-92 with a 3.15 ERA in 1,748.1 IP, with 1,283Ks, an ERA+ of 109 and 30.2 Wins Above Replacement. Righthander had electric stuff, throwing two no-hitters, making one All-Star team (1971) and winning between 10 and 16 games in all eight of his full seasons in majors. (Houston Chronicle) less

14. Don Wilson, RHP (1966-1974)
104-92 with a 3.15 ERA in 1,748.1 IP, with 1,283Ks, an ERA+ of 109 and 30.2 Wins Above Replacement.
Righthander had electric stuff, throwing two no-hitters, making one All-Star ... more

13. J.R. Richard, RHP (1971-1980)107-71 with a 3.15 ER in 1,606 IP, with 1,493 Ks, an ERA+ of 108 and 22.4 Wins Above Replacement. In his case, unlucky 13 is fitting: Finished among top five in Cy Young voting in three of his final five seasons, going 84-55 with 2.79 ERA before stroke ended his career. (Mike Robinson / Houston Chronicle) less

13. J.R. Richard, RHP (1971-1980)
107-71 with a 3.15 ER in 1,606 IP, with 1,493 Ks, an ERA+ of 108 and 22.4 Wins Above Replacement.
In his case, unlucky 13 is fitting: Finished among top five in Cy Young voting ... more

9. Nolan Ryan, RHP (1980-1988)106-94 with a 3.13 ERA in 1,854.2 IP, with 1,866 Ks, an ERA+ of 110 and 26.2 Wins Above Replacement. On top of giving the franchise boost of credibility when he signed as free agent after the 1979 season, led league in ERA twice (1981, 1987) and helped Astros capture two division titles. (TIM JOHNSON / Houston Chronicle) less

9. Nolan Ryan, RHP (1980-1988)
106-94 with a 3.13 ERA in 1,854.2 IP, with 1,866 Ks, an ERA+ of 110 and 26.2 Wins Above Replacement.
On top of giving the franchise boost of credibility when he signed as free ... more

8. Larry Dierker, RHP (1964-1976)137-117 with a 3.28 ERA in 2,294.1 IP, with 1,487 Ks, an ERA+ of 104 and 38.1 Wins Above Replacement. First pitcher in Astros history to post a 20-win season (1969), ranks third on the franchise victory list and managed four division-winning teams (1997, 1998, 1999, 2001). (Houston Chronicle) less

8. Larry Dierker, RHP (1964-1976)
137-117 with a 3.28 ERA in 2,294.1 IP, with 1,487 Ks, an ERA+ of 104 and 38.1 Wins Above Replacement.
First pitcher in Astros history to post a 20-win season (1969), ranks third ... more

7. Jose Cruz, OF (1975-1987).292/.359/.429 batting line with 138 HRs, 942 RBIs, 871 Rs, 288 SBs and 49.0 Wins Above Replacement in 1,870 games. His speed and ability to spray line drives all over the field made him the consummate Astrodome player. (Julio Cortez / Houston Chronicle) less

7. Jose Cruz, OF (1975-1987)
.292/.359/.429 batting line with 138 HRs, 942 RBIs, 871 Rs, 288 SBs and 49.0 Wins Above Replacement in 1,870 games.
His speed and ability to spray line drives all over the field made ... more

6. Roy Oswalt, RHP (2001-2010)143-82 with 3.24 ERA in 1,932.1 IP, with 1,593 Ks, an ERA+ of 133 and 41.8 Wins Above Replacement. Second on the Astros all-time victory list, won 20 games twice (2004, 2005), led league in ERA once (2006) and finished in top five of Cy Young voting five times. (Julio Cortez / Houston Chronicle) less

6. Roy Oswalt, RHP (2001-2010)
143-82 with 3.24 ERA in 1,932.1 IP, with 1,593 Ks, an ERA+ of 133 and 41.8 Wins Above Replacement.
Second on the Astros all-time victory list, won 20 games twice (2004, 2005), led ... more

5. Cesar Cedeno, OF-1B (1970-1981).289./351/.454 batting line with 163 HRs, 778 RBIs, 880 Rs, 487 SBs and 49.4 Wins Above Replacement in 1,512 games. Perhaps the greatest talent ever to wear an Astros uniform, with an all-around skill set former Astros manager Leo Durocher likened to that of Willie Mays, Cedeno made his fourth and final All-Star team at age 25. (Houston Chronicle) less

4. Jimmy Wynn, OF (1963-1973).255/.362/.445 batting line with 223 HRs, 713 RBIs, 829 Rs, 180 SBs and 44.4 Wins Above Replacement in 1,426 games. The raw numbers he produced playing in a pitcher's era with hitter-unfriendly home parks (Colt Stadium, Astrodome) hid just how productive player he was. (Bill Clough / Houston Chronicle) less

4. Jimmy Wynn, OF (1963-1973)
.255/.362/.445 batting line with 223 HRs, 713 RBIs, 829 Rs, 180 SBs and 44.4 Wins Above Replacement in 1,426 games.
The raw numbers he produced playing in a pitcher's era with ... more

3. Lance Berkman, OF-1B (1999-2010).296/.410/.549 batting line with 326 HRs, 1,090 RBIs, 1,008 Rs, 82 SBs and 46.2 Wins Above Replacement in 1,592 games. Of the switch-hitters in major-league history who have appeared in at least 1,000 games, only Mickey Mantle has a higher on-base percentage or slugging average. (Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle) less

3. Lance Berkman, OF-1B (1999-2010)
.296/.410/.549 batting line with 326 HRs, 1,090 RBIs, 1,008 Rs, 82 SBs and 46.2 Wins Above Replacement in 1,592 games.
Of the switch-hitters in major-league history who have ... more